Suckling was a member of the Christchurch Boys' High 1st XV that won an international schools competition in Japan in 2007 alongside Nasi Manu, Ash Dixon, Tyler Bleyendaal and Andrew Horrell.
He then had a gap year on the Gold Coast after attracting interest from the Queensland Reds academy before relocating to Dunedin in 2009 to study commerce at Otago University.
After spending 6 years playing and studying in Dunedin utility outside back Marshall Suckling signed a deal with Canterbury in 2015.
Suckling represented Otago for three seasons – the blazer he received after his 15th appearance is among his proudest possessions.
He made his Canterbury debut at Forsyth Barr Stadium in round one of the 2015 Mitre 10 Cup and only missed selection for one game – when Robertson fielded a second-string team against Waikato.
Suckling's versatility and work ethic saw him shape as an integral member of the match-day 23 in 2015.
Canterbury coach Scott Robertson had suggested the fleet-footed wing/fullback venture overseas but Suckling, a quantity surveyor, considered the permutations and decided to focus on Canterbury.
Suckling was named in the Canterbury squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup and helped the side reach the Premiership final.
JW Oct 17
Career
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Otago Left Wing |
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Canterbury Left Wing |
2015 - 2017 |
